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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/16/2010 Posts: 39 Location: Edinburgh
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hi peeps
so the other week I got a walking stick from my physio purely for emergency purposes, luckily its a plain black one and I've managed to 'pimp' it nicely with the aid of some star spangled black ribbon (I've even named it... Michael Caine, get it?)
my problem is this though- I'm 26, I fight through rush hour traffic on the bus to and from work and don't really know how to go about adjusting to using my stick. Unfortunately my emergency plan is becoming a reality plan as i've been reliant on 'michael' since Monday - but I don't know how to explain this sudden addition to my friends and colleagues. In particular I'd love suggestions on how to tell my old friends from uni because (luckily) I was pretty good during my uni years and I think it will be a big shock/quite upsetting for them to see me hobbling about like an admin worker long john silver!
I am also dreading the "oh but you are far too young to have arthritis" comments that will come with using the stick because I've had ra for most of my life and that comment still winds me up every time someone says it.
Does anyone know how I feel?
Laura
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Laura, I know its hard having to do things to accommodate this awful RA. You can always dawn a hat and say your doing a take off of Gene Kelly........ Dancing and Singing in the Rain. Then you can make them laugh instead of them depressing you. I mean well really Lorna x 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 157 Location: TYNE AND WEAR
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I like that Lorna hehe! Alison xxx 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 288 Location: LUTON
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I love the Micheal caine, i think Lauras right, people will ask at first and then they will not take so much notice, they like you will get used to it, i know what your saying about being comfy with it i have had so much trouble with crutches over the last 5 mths, if you go into a shop and need your hands free the dam things wont stand up on their own, if you lean them on a rail you can bet its the one every one heads for, this more so on the sale rails i always feel so clumsy and in the way, one women said dont worry about it and laughed,when i said that i was worried that the crutch would fall and break someones toe ,she was the exception, most people are put out by them being in the way.
I think your hummor will pull you through, Be strong.
Anne-marie xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Laura
Chin up your friends love you for who you are not how you dress or assessorise. . . .
I am 56 and used a stick for past 2 yrs. Mine is a red brightly covered one, and folds up, so I can put in
my wardrobe.
Go girl
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Laura, I like the name you have given your stick!! I think the humourous approach is probably the best to try - even though having RA is most definitely not funny! I`m considerably older than you - 59 - but I can empathise, as when I first got a mobility scooter I refused to use it locally, as I felt embarrassed, having always been fit and full of energy. In the end it dawned on me that I was only making life harder for myself, and if people passed comment, then so be it. You do get "oh yes, I get arthritis in my little finger when the weather`s damp," as you say, but in the rush-hour "Michael" might come in handy - you can prod folk out of your way as you fight your way on and off the bus! You might even be offered a seat! Anyway, as others have said, bite the bullet and go for it. Your friends will understand anyway, I hope. Take care, Kathleen x PS We love Edinburgh, and go every year in December for the Christmas market.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 89
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Hi Laura, I started useing my walking stick again. Just had to give in to it as walking is so difficult.Got a fold up one which is really good as i can put it in my bag on the odd times I can manage without it.
Best way to deal with people, don't try getting out of their way, let them move for you. As for friends I'm sure they'll understand why your useing a stick.
Mine's used in my left hand and I find that awkward at times , thats my only problem with a stick. Kathleen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
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Good luck with it Laura. I also love the name. Carry on with that sense of humour and you will be fine. It is so, so irritating when you come across the 'wee bit of arthritis' phrase, usually accompanied by the 'cured by nettles/mouse urine' and so on, but you can rise above it. Friends are friends and will make an effort to understand and sympathise. Those that do not are not woth the having!
Eleanor x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/16/2010 Posts: 39 Location: Edinburgh
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thanks for the suggestions everyone, i'll make sure i take it with me to work tomorrow to bash my way through the festival crowds 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hi
I started using my stick when I was about 27 on and off. By the time I was 30 I was told to use it all the time- ideally to use 2 not one No, it is not sexy! I have found some great sticks that look cooler though and that helps- you should get a fischer handle stick if you can with RA hands. I have some of these-
http://www.switchsticks....DrKKLt6MCFdQB4wodEBw1Zg
the RA comments of "You are young to have that love!" drive me bonkers at times. Mind you, I did think the other day that at 34 I may one day be uppety that no one thinks i am young enough to warrant the comment!
I have a blog if you are interested- www.wonkywarrior.blogspot.com
and please do drop by my facebook I am Jenni B-L
Jenni xxhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/26/2010 Posts: 128 Location: Birmingham
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I've been using a stick since 2006 but it was for my Meniere's Disease as the RA hadn't really kicked off then. The first thing people tend to do is ask what you've done to your leg. Then you have to go through the process of explaining what's wrong which, with Meniere's, gets a bit complicated. I had a psychic ask me what was wrong with my leg once. Some psychic! They soon get used to it and it becomes part and parcel of you. If I'm ever on a night out there's usually a fight over who gets to use it when Adam and the Ants are played. In fact, mine is bent from being used as a dance accessory - I even have a friend who uses it to pole dance with when she has a few too many  The main thing is adapting to only having one hand free. That's still the hardest thing for me, particularly if it's raining. The very worst is having the stick, a bag of shopping in one hand and rain all at the same time. Something has to go and it's usually the stick which means I wobble around like a drunk and get strange looks but I'm past caring now. Don't be afraid to use it as a weapon in rush hour. Birmingham people are not known for their concern for fellow passengers and if you're disabled you just get pushed out the way, so when the rush is on to squeeze into the train I find a few cracked ankles and tangled feet aid my passage  Make sure yours has the little wrist loop so it's always attached to your wrist. Comes in handy when you need to forage in your purse or bag.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010
Posts: 44
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I,ve been using a stick or two off and on for the last seven yrs since I,ve had RA. but with a difference. I bought a national trust shooting stick which has three legs one of which incorperates a seat so its great if your in a book shop or doing a bit of site seeing & you suddenly feel you are going to faint or collapse you just pull the seat out & rest & recover. the funny thing is people don,t think Im ill but quite often ask where to buy one, especially Japanese tourists ! I am on the old side so I see it could be difficult at your age but you,v got a great sense of humour which I am sure will see you through. keep on coping & take care Rosexx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Hi Laura
I use a stick from time to time. When I was first diagnosed I used it all the time. I found the humorous approach worked- I used to swan around in a long black velvet coat (which I did have before ra!) and earned the nickname 'La Grande Dame'. However- I'm in my 50s and to be honest at my age, having a stick doesn't really bother me. I can understand that you aren't too happy with it- I would have been exactly the same at your age (sorry- don't mean to be patronising).
I now use it occasionally - particuarly if I'm up in London, more as a visual signal to others that there is a reason for me walking slowly, even if it isn't obvious. I also find I get a bit mischievous- if people are annoying me and pushing and shoving I'll over exaggerate the walk and go as slowly as posible, holding the stick out a bit further to the side!
Hpefully you won't need it for long- I hope you find a way to cope with it in the meantme!
Love
Maria
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